CPEI Development
Answers to common questions about professional development, continuing education, IACET CEUs, the Chaplain Resource Network, Cadres, documentation and professional growth at CPEI.
Frequently Asked Questions
CPEI professional development supports chaplains, Supervisor-Educators, supervisory candidates, students, members and spiritual care professionals through continuing education, professional programs, peer learning, Cadres, IACET CEU opportunities, the Chaplain Resource Network and other resources.
These FAQs provide general guidance. Credentialed professionals should also consult the current Credentialing Manual for official continuing education and credential-maintenance requirements.
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Getting Started
Basic questions about CPEI professional development and who it supports.
Professional development at CPEI refers to ongoing learning and professional growth beyond initial education or credentialing.
It may include continuing education, professional programs, Cadre participation, peer consultation, workshops, conferences, research, writing, presentations, online learning and other activities that strengthen chaplaincy or spiritual care practice.
Professional development can benefit chaplains, Supervisor-Educators, supervisory candidates, students, CPEI members and other spiritual care professionals who want to continue strengthening their knowledge, practice, leadership and professional formation.
Ongoing professional development helps spiritual care professionals remain reflective, responsive, informed and connected to evolving professional practices and communities of learning.
No. Professional development is useful for students, candidates, educators, members, chaplains and other spiritual care professionals.
CPEI credentialed professionals also have specific annual continuing education and credential-maintenance requirements.
Continuing Education
Questions about annual requirements and qualifying professional learning activities.
CPEI credentialed chaplains must complete at least 1.0 IACET CEU or 10 contact hours per year.
Supervisor-Educators and Training Supervisor-Educators must complete at least 1.5 IACET CEUs or 15 contact hours per year.
The CPEI Credentialing Manual recognizes a broad range of professional learning activities. Examples include degree-credit courses, non-degree career training, self-directed learning, experiential learning, seminars, workshops, conference presentations, classroom lectures and participation in chaplain or Supervisor-Educator learning groups.
Professional-development activities should contribute meaningfully to professional knowledge, competencies or practice relevant to chaplaincy, spiritual care, supervision, education, ethics, leadership or a related area of professional responsibility.
Yes. The Credentialing Manual includes self-directed and experiential learning among the types of activities that may contribute to continuing education.
Credentialed members should keep appropriate records of activities used to document annual professional learning.
Conference presentations and classroom lectures are among the learning activities recognized in the Credentialing Manual.
Members should document activities appropriately and follow current CPEI guidance for reporting continuing education.
Continuing Education Units
Questions about IACET, CEUs, contact hours and CPEI continuing education.
The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) establishes standards for continuing education and training.
CPEI is an IACET Accredited Provider.
A contact hour represents time spent participating in an eligible learning activity.
An IACET Continuing Education Unit is a standardized continuing education measure. One IACET CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience that meets applicable requirements.
No. A professional development activity may be useful for professional learning without being an activity for which CPEI awards IACET CEUs.
CPEI will identify programs and learning activities that are eligible for CPEI-issued CEUs.
Contact Dr. Kay Myers, CPEI’s IACET and compliance contact, at core@cpei.edu .
Featured Resource
Questions about CPEI’s relationship with the Chaplain Resource Network and the resources available through CRN.
The Chaplain Resource Network (CRN) is a collaborative initiative that provides practical, field-informed learning and professional resources for chaplains and organizations supporting chaplaincy.
CPEI is a founding organization of the Chaplain Resource Network.
CPEI contributes educational and continuing education expertise to the network.
Eligible CRN learning activities may carry continuing education units approved and issued through CPEI.
Eligible CRN learning activities may provide CPEI-approved Continuing Education Units when the applicable learning and evaluation requirements are completed.
The CRN course or lesson information should identify whether a particular activity offers a CEU.
Eligible CRN learning for which CPEI issues continuing education credit may contribute toward a credentialed professional’s annual continuing education requirement.
Credentialed members remain responsible for meeting the complete annual requirements applicable to their credential and for maintaining appropriate documentation.
No. Chaplain Resource Network learning and CPEI professional credentialing are separate.
Participation in CRN does not itself confer Board Certified Associate Chaplain (BCAC), Board Certified Chaplain (BCC), Supervisor-Educator (SE) or Training Supervisor-Educator (TSE) status.
Yes. Eligible purchasers may receive 10% off the published price of their first annual CRN membership by using the applicable activated CPEI discount code at checkout.
The discount applies to the initial annual membership purchase. Renewals are at CRN’s then-current standard price unless CRN states otherwise.
Current CPEI discount codes and instructions are available on CPEI’s Chaplain Resource Network page.
Visit the Chaplain Resource Network website to explore current memberships, lessons and resources.
CPEI may receive a commission if you purchase through this link.
Peer Connection
Questions about Cadres, peer learning, consultation and professional support.
A CPEI Cadre is a small professional development group that supports connection, consultation, continuing education, best-practice sharing, professional growth and communication among CPEI members.
No. Cadres may create a smaller community within CPEI, but their primary purpose is professional development, peer learning, consultation, continuing education and member support.
Cadres may include clinical case discussion, peer consultation, professional development planning, continuing education review, relationship-building, best-practice sharing and communication about CPEI activities.
Cadres have identified leaders who help coordinate meetings, communication, participation and reporting.
Cadre leadership and structure may evolve as CPEI continues refining this professional development model.
Cadres are intended to remain small enough for meaningful participation, conversation and professional support.
Specific size and structure may vary according to CPEI’s current Cadre process.
Members interested in forming a Cadre should contact CPEI’s Professional Development Chair for current guidance.
Records & Documentation
Questions about documenting professional learning and maintaining continuing education records.
Yes. Credentialed professionals should maintain appropriate records of continuing education and professional-development activities used to meet annual credential requirements.
Keep enough information to identify the learning activity and document your participation. This may include the activity title, date, provider or source, contact hours or CEUs, and supporting documentation when available.
Yes. Credentialed professionals should maintain their own records so they can accurately document completion of annual continuing education requirements.
Yes. In addition to annual continuing education requirements, Supervisor-Educators and Training Supervisor-Educators have applicable Staff and Faculty meeting participation requirements.
Yes. CPEI credentialed members are required to participate in at least one credentialing review each year.
This helps sustain CPEI’s peer-review process while keeping members engaged with professional competencies and standards.
Need Assistance?
Find the right CPEI resource or contact.
Contact Parthenia Caesar, Professional Development Chair, at parthenia@cpei.edu .
Contact Dr. Kay Myers, IACET and compliance contact, at core@cpei.edu .
Start with the Professional Development Overview, then explore Professional Development Programs, the Chaplain Resource Network and CPEI Cadres according to your interests and professional needs.
Programs, learning opportunities and professional development announcements may be shared through CPEI’s Professional Development Programs and Events pages.
Related Resources
Professional Development
Contact CPEI for assistance with continuing education, Cadres, IACET CEUs, the Chaplain Resource Network or other professional development opportunities.